I overcame depression; this is what worked for me

Throughout these harrowing days of quarantine, I have been thinking of those who are currently suffering from clinical depression. I imagine that the loss of control that Cov-19 has brought upon humanity weighs heavier on the depressed mind than on a healthier mind. With depression, our own internal anxiety is compounded with a generalized sense of despair, and being quarantined may increase these feelings of worry, isolation, lethargy, and fear. On the other hand, a positive effect of this lockdown may be a lowered expectation to function “normally.” Being forced into staying home may be an opportunity to address the illness.

I suffered from depression for over a year and fully recovered. Here are some of the things I did that helped me; perhaps some of them will be useful to you:

1. I admitted to myself, and then to others, that I was sick.

I am not talking about being sad or having the blues. I am talking about a major depressive disorder. Depression is a disease. The problem with depression is that it is (usually) invisible. It may start with a loss of energy, increased emotional vulnerability, or sadness. I never had suicidal thoughts; thus, I concluded I was not depressed. My depression was not severe, but it was nonetheless depression, and it needed treatment. It took me over six months to accept the…